Statement on the Retirement of Dario Franchitti

"It has been said that life begins at 40, but exactly how does one follow this? When you take a moment to realize that Dario Franchitti won more races for Honda than any driver in the history of American open-wheel racing – in a fraternity which includes the likes of Alex Zanardi, Gil de Ferran, Paul Tracy, Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon and reigning INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon – you begin to come to some small understanding of what he has meant to American Honda and its racing program.

"Every one of Dario's 31 Indy car victories, 33 Indy car poles, three Indianapolis 500 victories and four Indy car championships was recorded with Honda power. Still, as monumental as those achievements may be, they tell no more than half of the story. Over 16 seasons of driving for Honda, Dario was an exemplary ambassador for the brand; I daresay he made scores of friends here of which he isn't even aware. We salute him for his many accomplishments, pay tribute to him as a true legend of this sport, and wish him every good thing imaginable as he moves into life's next act."